Rohingya Condemn Assassination of U Ko Ni and Call for Urgent Investigation

Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO) Joint Statement | January 30, 2017

We, the undersigned Rohingya organisations worldwide strongly condemn the assassination of U Ko Ni, 65, a high profile Muslim leader and legal advisor of NLD on Sunday 29, 2017 upon arrival at Yangon international airport from his official tour to examine the Indonesian model of interfaith.

U Ko Ni, a 1988 activist, was well known in Myanmar as a sincere, honorable, dedicated and patriotic man. He was the founder of Myanmar’s Muslim lawyers Association and had contributed the nation with his expertise in law. He was a strong advocate for peace, interfaith dialogue and harmony in the country. It is an irreparable loss for the nation.

We express our deep condolences to the members of the bereaved families U Ko Ni and Ko Nay Win, the taxi driver who bravely chased the murderers.

The assassination of U Ko Ni, is a reflection of how intimidating the situation is for those who are working for peace and dialogue, especially when they are from minorities or non-Buddhist religious groups.

We call for an urgent independent investigation to identify the motives and people associated with this heinous murder.

We also call on Rohingya people and all Muslims of the country to pray for U Ko Ni.

U Ko Ni will be remembered all times for his heroic struggle for the rights of Muslim communities and other minorities in the country, and also for his relentless fight for constitutional changes for a truly democratic Myanmar.

Signatories;
1. Arakan Rohingya National Organisation
2. Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK
3. British Rohingya Community in UK
4. Burmese Rohingya Community in Denmark
5. Burmese Rohingya Association Japan
6. Rohingya Advocacy Network in Japan
7. Burmese Rohingya Community Australia
8. Burmese Rohingya Association in Queensland-Australia (BRAQA)
9. Canadian Burmese Rohingya Organisation
10. Myanmar Ethnic Rohingya Human Rights Organisation in Malaysia (MERHROM)
11. Rohingya American Society
12. Rohingya Arakanese Refugee Committee
13. Rohingya Community in Germany
14. Rohingya Community in Switzerland
15. Rohingya Community in Finland
16. Rohingya Community in Italy
17. Rohingya Community in Sweden
18. Rohingya Organisation Norway
19. Rohingya Society Malaysia
20. Rohingya Society Netherlands